Posts Tagged ‘Past sins forgiveness’

An especially congregated, supererogatory prayer in the month of “Ramadan” It is, although, not obligatory but is immensely reward-worthy.

Among many things that a Muslim would do during the month of Ramadan, is offering the Taraweeh after the “Iftar” (ending of the day-long fasting). The word Taraweeh comes from Tarweeha; literally means “to rest” in between the four “Rakah” segment of the prayer; for it is normally a long sequential of 20 “Rakah” offered every night, so that the whole Qura’an is recited within the month of Ramadan.

According to a Hadith:

Prophet (PBUH) offered Taraweeh in his mosque the first night and was joined by a couple of people. Next night he was joined by a fair number of people. The third night he looked through the door and saw mosque full of people, therefore, decided not to come out. When asked about it, he said he do not wish this prayer (Taraweeh) to become obligatory for his people. He then decided to offer it at home to preserve its supererogatory status. [Bukhari: 6113]

Taraweeh continued to be prayed in Prophet’s mosque after that in several small groups. Caliph Umer (R.A) then suggested a single congregation lead by Ubay Ibn Kaab. Ubay (R.A) was one of the best Qura’an reciters amongst the Prophet’s (PBUH) companions. The reason behind it was to remove the apparent show of division in the community.

He himself, however, neither led nor joined the Taraweeh congregation for he used to lead the obligatory prayers hence do not want to create the impression of it being obligatory. Upon observing the one congregational Taraweeh prayer he termed it a“Fair-bida’a”

This incident marks the beginning of the congregational Taraweeh prayer which is although not obligatory but is still immensely reward-worthy.

Abu Dharr (R.A) reports that The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:

“Whoever stands with the Imam until he finishes, it is equivalent to spending the whole night in prayer.” (Ibn Khuzaymah 3:337)

The Reason, Why Taraweeh Prayer is Important?

According to Abu Hurairah (R.A), the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to urge (the people) to perform (supererogatory) Taraweeh prayer at night during the month of Ramadan. He did not, however, declare it to be obligatory saying:

“Whosoever performs (supererogatory Taraweeh) prayers at night during the month of Ramadan, with Faith and in the hope of receiving Allah’s reward, will have his past sins forgiven.” (Muslim 9:1188)

As for as the forgiveness of the past sins is concerned; the reward of offering Taraweeh continuously; during the whole month of Ramadan, is said to be equivalent to performing a Hajj. Ramadan is the month in which Allah (SWT) rewards all good deeds in multitude.

Let us then avail this opportunity by standing with the Imam, listening to the Holy Quran, and get rewarded for the whole night long prayer.

Many people pray just 8+3(Vitar)=11Rakah which is perfectly permissible, due to the consensus of the scholars (ijma’a) as well as Allah (SWT) being pleased upon His slaves making use of a concession. The Prophet (PBUH) has also not specified any number for the night (Taraweeh) prayer. Curtailing it (to 8-rakah), may, however, make one lose the “whole night long prayer’s reward”.